CHAPTER XXIX.
HOW THE BATTLE OF WORCESTER WAS LOST BY THE KING.
Cromwell was somewhat disconcerted by the unlooked-for advantage gainedby Charles, but he quickly brought his disordered troops to theirranks, and prepared to bring forward his reserves. Like Charles, helooked down to the Blockhouse fields to see what Lesley would do, butwas speedily reassured by finding the Scottish horse remain motionless.
"The men of Sechem have dealt treacherously with Abimelech," he said,with a stern smile. "Had Lesley come to his master's aid in time, hemight have given me some trouble."
Detaching troops on either side to prevent a junction between the threeparties of Royalists, he himself made a determined attack on the king.
The onset was terrible, but Charles and his Cavaliers bore it firmly,and maintained their ground, giving abundant proofs of valour, andshowing of what stout stuff they were made, since they could thusresist the attack of Cromwell's veteran troops.
The conflict lasted for a considerable time--much longer, indeed,than Cromwell expected--but when Lambert arrived with his troops itbecame too unequal, and the Cavaliers were forced to give way. Besides,their ammunition was completely exhausted, and they were obliged tofight with the butt-ends of their muskets. After a most obstinate butineffectual resistance, they retreated in disorder towards the city.
No junction had taken place between the battalions under the Duke ofHamilton and the Earl of Derby, but neither of these leaders were moresuccessful than the king, though both fought valiantly. The Duke ofHamilton routed a troop of horse, but in a subsequent encounter hishorse was shot under him, and he himself was so severely wounded, thathe had to be taken from the field, and was conveyed to the Commandery.Sir John Douglas was likewise mortally wounded, and Sir AlexanderForbes, disabled by a shot through both legs, was left in thislamentable condition in Perry Wood during the whole night. Next day hewas discovered by the enemy and taken prisoner. Both the Earl of Derbyand Roscarrock escaped unhurt, but the battalion commanded by the earlwas routed after a gallant fight.
Overpowered on all sides, the Royalists, after sustaining fearful loss,were compelled to retreat into the city. Lesley, who had taken no partwhatever in the fight, finding that the day had gone against the king,moved his regiment towards Barbourne Bridge, about a mile on the northof the city, and close to Pitchcroft.
No sooner did Cromwell's engineers regain possession of the great gunsthan they began to cannonade Fort Royal with redoubled fury. Under thistremendous fire a strong storming party was detached to take the fort,with orders from the Lord General to put all the troops within it tothe sword unless they surrendered. The barbarous order was executed.The fort being carried by storm after an obstinate resistance, noquarter was given to its brave defenders. The guns of the fort werethen turned upon the city, and being so close to it, caused terriblehavoc, and drove all the artillerymen from the walls.
But we must now return to the king. So long as a chance was left him,Charles fought valiantly, and during the retreat, though he failed torally his disordered troops, he turned several times to face the enemy.
While thus braving the foe for the last time he was left alone, noneof his attendants being aware that he had stopped. From the richnessof his accoutrements he was at once recognised, and fierce cries wereraised:
"'Tis Charles Stuart!--'tis Jeroboam! The Lord has delivered him intoour hands! Slay him--slay him!"
Several pistols were discharged at him, but though the bullets struckhis armour, no injury was done him. Most luckily his horse was nothurt, but bore him swiftly and safely to the Sidbury-gate. He was hotlypursued by the Roundhead troopers, who would assuredly have cut himdown, according to Cromwell's order, if they had come up with him.
On reaching the Sidbury-gate he found, to his dismay, that it wasblocked up by an ammunition waggon, which had been overturned thereeither by accident or design. One of the oxen that had drawn the waggonwas killed on the spot.
Without a moment's hesitation, the king threw himself from his horse,and contrived to creep past the waggon. As he entered Sidbury-street,Mr. William Bagnal, a staunch loyalist, who dwelt in that quarter,rode towards him, and, instantly dismounting, offered him his horse.The steed, thus opportunely provided for his majesty, was of infiniteservice to him in the day, as will be shown.
Once more on horseback, Charles rode up to the High-street, and foundit full of soldiers, most of them belonging to the Scottish infantry.They had all a most dejected look, and on seeing him, many of themthrew down their arms, to intimate their refusal to fight any longer.In vain he rode up and down their ranks, with his feathered hat in hishand, addressing them with a passionate eloquence that ought to haveroused them.
"Stand to your arms!" he cried. "Fight like men, and we shall yetconquer. Follow me, and I will lead you to victory. Ours is the rightcause, and truth and justice must prevail in the end. Follow your king!"
Finding, however, that they would not stir, he called out in accents ofbitter reproach, "Recreants that you are to desert me thus. If you willnot fight, turn your arms against me. I had rather you would shoot methan let me live to see the consequences of this fatal day."
He then rode slowly off towards the College Green, still hoping somemight follow him, but none stirred.
Boscobel; or, the royal oak: A tale of the year 1651 Page 32
